Straightedge



A. J. HOPE STRAIGHTEDGE Filed Feb.' 4, 1937 March 15, 193s.

Patented Mar. 15, 1938 UNETEDY STATES 1l Claims.

rIhis invention relates to straightedges, and relates particularly to straightedges designed and adapted for use in paper hanging, for trimming the meeting edges of the paper so that they will be as nearly straight and true as practicable, thus insuring that the edges of adjacent lengths of paper can be brought into contact, and thus completely cover the wall, without puckering or leaving gaps through which the surface of the wall will be exposed.

To this end, objects of the invention are:

To provide a straightedge which is initially straight and true;

To provide a straightedge having a body porl5k tion on which the straightedge proper is operatively mounted, and which is of such strong and rigid construction that it will eilectually resist any tendency to warp or buckle under internal stresses produced by variations in temperature or 20 other causes;

To provide means for operatively mounting the straightedge proper on the body portion thereof, said mounting means being constructed and arranged to exert force on said straightedge proper to flex the same in opposite directions, at spaced points lengthwise thereof, to correct any misalignment of said straightedge proper, which may develop therein from any cause;

To provide a straightedge, the body portion of which is constructed and arranged to provide convenient access to the adjusting means for subjecting the straightedge proper to force tending to flex the same; and

To provide an adjustable straightedge, all parts of which, other than the adjusting means, are made of sheet metal.

To attain the objects of the invention, my improved straightedge comprises the various features, combinations oi features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, in which a straightedge embodying my invention and immovements are fully illustrated;

Figure l is a top plan view oi what I now consider a preferable form oi straightedge of my invention, parts thereof being broken away to disclose underlying parts; Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 oi Fig. l;

Figure 3 a top pian view, substantially similar to Fig. l, illustrating a modified construction;

Figure 3 a sectional view on the linel 3-3' oi Fig. 3, showing a double straightedge;

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Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view, illustrating another modification;

` Figure 5 is a sectional View of the modication shown in Tig. 4, on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; and

Figures 6 and 7 are fragmentary, detail views 5 on the lines --S and "l-l of Fig. l, respectively.

Describing the invention with reference to the drawing, and referring in the rst instance to Figs. 1 and 2, my vimproved straightedge, designated as a whole, A, comprises a body portion or l0 base, designated generally Bi, on which the straightedge proper designated generally b, is operatively mounted.

As shown, the body portion or base on which the straightedge proper b is mounted, consists oi a base plate i and a channel member 2 the edges of the open side of which are rigidly secured to said base plate. As shown, the edges of said channel member 2 are secured to said base plate by means of anges 3 formed thereon, which are rigidly secured to said base plate, as by spot welding or other suitable means, as will readily be understood.

In accordance with the invention, the straightedge proper bis operatively mounted on the body portion or base B, in the following manner:

Formed in the parallel flanges of said channel member 2 are holes 6i, iitted to which, so as to be movable endwise therein, are screws 5, threaded to which at opposite sides of said channel member 2 are nuts 5, which are adapted to be clamped to the sides of said channel member, thus providing for securing said screws to said channel member in fixed axial adjustment, as will readily be understood.

Formed on one end of each of the screws 5 is a head 'l riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to which is a channel 8 and an angle 9, which, in usual practice, are continuous from end to end of said straightedge, said angle in the specific construction shown, forming the straightedge proper. However, within the scope and contemplation of the invention, the angle 9 may be omitted, whereupon the channel 8 will become the straightedge proper. Thus, either the angle 9, the channel ii or the two together, when mounted as shown in the different figures, may be considered as the straightedge proper.

As shown, the space between the flanges of the 50 channel 3 is sufficiently wider than the corresponding dimension of the heads 'l to provide spaces lil between the side flanges of said channel and said heads, at both sides thereof, of Sullicient width to slidably receive the bottom plate l and a top plate Il, the function of which will presently be described.

As shown, also, the flanges of the angle b are of substantially equal width and, as shown, are also equal to the width of the flanges of the channel 8, and, when present, said angle is secured to the heads 'I in such relation that the lower edge of its flange secured directly to the heads l, will be substantially ush with the lower side of the bottom flange of the channel, and the other flange of said angle being spaced a suicient distance from the adjacent iange of said channel S to form a space I2, to provide for engaging a trimming wheel, not shown, with said straightedge, as will readily be understood by persons familiar with such devices.

As shown, and to provide convenient access to the nuts 6 on the threaded Shanks for turning said nuts without interference by contact of the corners of said nuts with parts of the body portion of the straightedge and without unduly increasing the thickness of the body portion thereof, the threaded shanks are formed with their axes out of line with and above, the axes of the heads 'I supported thereby.

At the opposite side of the straightedge from the straightedge proper b, the bottom plate thereof is struck down, as shown at I3, to bring its under surface into substantially the same plane with the bottom side of the lower iiange of the channel 3, thus insuring a level and stable support for the straightedge when resting on a flat surface.

As shown, also, the side of the straightedge remote from the straightedge proper b, is closed by bending an extension of the struck down portion I3 of the bottom plate I, upwardly, as shown at I4 and then inwardly, as shown at I5, to form a marginal ledge which extends the entire length of said straightedge, under which the corresponding edge of the top plate Il is adapted to be engaged, and to which said top plate is secured at its opposite ends, by screws I6, the opposite edge of said top plate entering the space I@ above the heads 'I, with its intermediate portion resting on the channel member 2, the relation being such that when adjusted in position to close the top side of the body portion or" the straightedge, said top plate will be subjected to ileXure.

With the construction shown, it is obvious that the screw-threaded shanks 5 and the nuts 6 adjusted thereto at opposite sides of the channel member 2, provide means for applying force to the straightedge b and to the channel 8-which may be considered as a part of said straightedge-at different points lengthwise thereof, and in opposite directions, to correct misalignment of said straightedge, if, from any cause, it becomes warped or out of true.

As a modification of my improved straightedge, I contemplate a construction in which straightedges proper b are mounted at both lateral edges of the straightedge A, forming what may be designated as a double straightedge.

This modication, shown in Figs. 3, 3 of the drawing, merely involves making the straightedges symmetrical at opposite sides of a plane extending lengthwise of said straightedge A, at the transverse center of the channel member 2 and at right angles to the bottom plate I, and the provision oi" adjusting means for both of said straightedges.

What I now consider preferable means for the purpose, consists of the screws 5, mounted transversely on the channel member 2 and axially adjustable thereon, the heads l integral with said screws, and the channels 8, riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer ends of said heads, all substantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing and heretofore described, the adjusting devices applied to the straightedges proper b, mounted at opposite edges of the straightedge A, being arranged in alternate spaced relations, substantially as shown in Figs. 3, 3' of the drawing, the same and corresponding parts being designated by the same reference characters as in Figs. l and 2.

As a further modification of the invention, see particularly Figs. i and 5, I contemplate a construction in which, instead of heads '1, integral with the adjusting screws and to which the channels are rigidly secured, the straightedge supporting and adjusting means comprises screws il, mounted on the channel member 2, elongated nut-members I8 rigidly secured to the web of the channel or channels 3, said nut members being provided with holes I9 with which the adjusting screws Il have threaded engagement, said screws having nat-sided heads 2li integral therewith, which limit endwise movement of said screws in one direction, and provide for conveniently turning the same.

The screws I'I are movable endwise in holes formed in the side flanges of the channel member as in the forms of the straightedge shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, provision being made for securing said screws, and thus. the nut members I8, in adjusted positions-corresponding to desired alignment of the straightedges-consisting, as iown, ci nuts 2i threaded to the screws Il at the opposite sides of the channel member 2 from the screw heads 2B.

With the construction last described, it is obvious that the channels 8 and the straightedges proper secured to the outer ends of the nutmernbers it, may be drawn inwardly by loosening the nuts 2i, turning the said screws in one direction or the other, as the case may be, and again tightening the said nuts 2I-or said channels 8 and the straightedges secured thereto may be forced outwardly by loosening the nuts ZI, turning the screws I'I to partially withdraw them from the nut-members i8 and again tightening said nuts ZI to clamp the entire structure rigidly to the sides of the channel member 2.

Also, as shown in Figs. 4 to 7 of the drawing, the bottom of the body portion of the straightedge is closed by the bottom plate I, to which the flanges of the channel member 2 are secured, and the lateral edges oi which overlap the bottom iianges of the channels B; and the top of the body portion of the straightedge is closed by the top plate I I, the longitudinal, central portion of which rests on the top oi the channel member, and the lateral edges of which extend beneath and are conined by the top Ranges of the channels 8, being secured in position on the body portion of the straightedge by screws 22 which extend through said top plate and have threaded engagement with nuts 23 secured to the underside thereof.

As shown, also, the ends ofthe straightedge are closed flanges 25'.- and 25 formed on the opposite ends of said bott-toni plate, by bending extensions of said botttom plate upwards into substantial contact with the ends of the top plate i I. Gbviously, said anges Ziland 25 will strengthen the botttom plate I to resist transverse lexure.

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Attention is called to the fact that, in all forms of my improved straightedge, the heads l (Figs. l, 2, 3 and 3'), and i8 (Figs. 4 and 5), and to which the channels 8 and straightedge proper b` are secured, rest upon and are supported by the botttom plate i and are also confined between the top and botttom plates l and Il, thus providing a very strong and rigid support for said channels and straightedge proper in operation.

I claim:-

1. In a straightedge, a body portion comprising a base plate, a member secured to said base plate and which extends lengthwise thereof, a straightedge proper, means for mountingsaid straightedge proper on the longitudinal body member comprising screws which adjustably engage holes in said longitudinal body member, heads secured to said screws and which rest upon said base plate, said base plate extending laterally beyond the longitudinal body member a sufcient distance to support the heads of the adjusting screws, to

the outer ends of which said straightedge proper is secured, means for separately adjusting said screws axially, to flex said straightedge proper, and means for securing said screws to adjusted positions on said longitudinal body member.

2. The straightedge specified in claim 1 the body portion of which is made of sheet metal.

3. In a straightedge, a body portion comprising a base plate, a member secured to said base plate and which extends lengthwise thereof, a channel which forms the straightedge proper, means for mounting said channel on the body portion of ie straightedge, comprising screws which adjustably engage holes in said longitudinal body member, heads secured to said screws and which rest upon said base plate, said base plate extending laterally a suiiicient distance beyond the body member secured thereto, to support the heads of said adjusting screws, to the outer ends of which said channel is secured, and means for securing said screws in adjusted positions on said base member.

4. The straightedge specified in claim 1, which also comprises a. top plate which extends over and rests upon the top side of the longitudinal body member forming part of the body portion of the straightedge, and a channel, the web of which is rigidly secured to the ends of the heads oi the adjusting screws and the flanges of which extend over said heads, the radial dimension of said heads being less than the width of the space betweeen the flanges of said channel and providing spaces between said heads and iianges which the lateral edges of the top and botttom plates of the body portion of said straightedge slidably engage, thereby coniining both said heads and said top and bottom plates in operative relation to each other, and means for securing said top plate to a relatively xed part of the straightedge.

5. The straightedge specified in claim 1, and a straightedge proper' consisting of an angle secured to the heads of the adjusting screws, outside of the channel secured to the heads of said adjusting screws, a. iange of which projects over said channel in spaced relation thereto', providing a space extending the length of the body portion of the straightedge for engagement by a trimming wheel.

6. The straightedge specified in claim 1, in which the member which engages the space deiined by the top flange of the channel secured to the heads cf the adjusting screws and said heads, is the top plate of the body portion of the straightedge, said plate extending over and resting upon the top oi the channel member, and the edge thereof remote from. said heads being rigidly secured to the body of said straightedge at the opposite side of the channel member from said heads.

7. The straightedge specified in claim 1, in which the member which engages the space dened by the topi flange of the channel secured to the heads of the adjusting screws and said heads, is the top plate of the body portion of the straightedge, said plate extending over and resting upon the top of the channel member, and the edge thereof remote from said heads being rigidly secured to the body of said straightedge at the opposite side of the channel member from said heads, the arrangement being such that said top plate will be subjected to transverse iiexure.

8. In a straightedge, a body portion comprising a base plate, a longitudinal body member rigidly secured to said base plate, straightedges proper, means for mounting a straightedge proper at each edge of the body portion of said straightedge, comprising a, plurality of headed screws movable endwise in holes formed in the sides of said channel member with their axes disposed transversely thereof, and comprising headed screws the threaded ends of which extend in opposite directions, channels, nut-members rigidly secured to: the webs of said channels, said nut-members being provided with holes in their inner ends with which the adjusting screws have threaded engagement, means for adjusting said heads axially and for securing them in adjusted positions.

9. In a straightedge, a body portion comprising a base plate, a longitudinal body member rigidly secured to said botttom plate, straightedges proper, means for mounting a straightedge proper at each edge of the body portion of said straightedge, comprising a plurality of headed screws movable endwise in holes formed in the sides of said channel member with their axes disposed transversely thereof, and comprising headed screws the threaded ends of' which extend in opfposite directions, channels, nut-members rigidly secured to the webs of said channels, said nutmembers being provided with holes` in their inner ends with which the adjusting screws have threaded engagement, means ior adjusting said heads axially and for securing them in adjusted positions, consisting of nuts threaded to said screws at the opposite sides of the longitudinal base member from the screw heads and arranged to clamp said screws in fixed adjustment to said longitudinal base member.

10. The straightedge specied in claim 1, in which straightedges proper are mounted at both lateral edges of the body portion thereof.

11. The straightedge specified in claim 1, in which straightedges proper are mounted at both lateral edges thereof and the supporting heads therefor, respectively, at opposite sides thereof are arranged in alternate: spaced relation.

ARNOLD J. HOPE. 

